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Visit of the Pontiff of All Armenians to Jerusalem

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Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: From February 15-16, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians paid a pontifical visit to Jerusalem. Upon arrival at the Ben Gurion International Airport of Tel Aviv, His Holiness and the pontifical delegation were met by members of the Brotherhood of St. James (Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem), Israeli authorities and representatives of the Armenian Community.

After a prayer service in the Chapel of St. Jacob, the Pontiff of All Armenians extended his blessings to the clergy, students of the St. Tarkmanchatz School and the faithful in attendance.

In the evening, the members of the St. James Brotherhood, led by the Catholicos of All Armenians, celebrated the 20th anniversary of Enthronement, 70th anniversary of priesthood and 91st birthday of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. Representatives from the Coptic, Latin and Greek Orthodox Churches of Jerusalem participated in the celebration.

During the celebration, a decree was read from the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsian, awarding His Beatitude the Medal of St. Mesrop Mashtots. His Holiness extended his blessings and appreciation to the commendable Patriarch and bestowed on him the medal.

On February 16 the Catholicos of All Armenians presided over a meeting of the Patriarchate. The Brotherhood members discussed issues concerning the preservation and management of the Armenian properties in the Holy Land as well as other challenges facing the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

His Holiness and the members of his delegation visited the Church of the Holy Resurrection at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to bow and renew their oaths in front of the Lord’s Sepulchre.

Accompanying His Holiness to Jerusalem were: His Eminence Archbishop Datev Gharibian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil, His Eminence Archbishop Kissag Mouradian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Argentina, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Director of Inter-church Relations Department of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kjoyan, Primate of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See and Rev. Fr. Karekin Hambardzumian as Staff-Bearer to His Holiness.